John R. Woltz II

John R. Woltz II

12/20/1944 10/5/2004

Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 9, 2004, 10:00 a.m., at the First Christian Church, Truxtun Ave. and S Street.

John R. Woltz II, born December 20, 1944 passed away on October 5, 2004. Father, Bob Woltz; mother, Pinkey Woltz plus loving sister, Jane, precede John in death. Brother, Jim Woltz plus his children, Jack and Jenny Woltz, survive him. Soul mate and wife of 30 years, Dawn survived him. Youngest sons, Justin M. Woltz and Jarrett R. Woltz survive him. Last but not least, eldest son, John R. Woltz III and his wife, Shelli; their children, Brian, Amanda, Tyler and Hunter plus grandchild, Jayden survive him.

John was born in Bakersfield. He spent most of his time hanging out with his beloved Fillmore Gang, Jim and Gerry Malouf, Gordon Jones, Keith Veale and brother, Jim Woltz. He attended East High, graduated in 1962. John enrolled at Bakersfield College and played football briefly, then joined the Navy and served in Hawaii as Third Class Storekeeper and Staff Purchasing Agent for Commander Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet. John was honorably discharged in 1965. While in Hawaii, he played football for the Pearl Harbor Admirals and was an original member of the Hawaii Harlequins Rugby Club.

John brought the game of Rugby with him and helped form the Fresno Rugby Club when he returned there. All this while working and attending Fresno City College and Fresno State College. He graduated with a BA/MA in Economics and went on to receive his Secondary Lifetime Teaching Credential and Community College Teaching Credential. In 1972 John started his memorable journey of teaching and coaching. His first teaching job was at Mendocino Junior High School. He then secured the job of his dreams as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Parlier High School. By 1980 his team had won its first League Title in 25 years and John was selected by the WSL as the Coach of the Year. During this time hed met his wife, Dawn, who never missed a game. His students and athletes loved him and continued to visit until recently. He left Parlier in 1982 and then spent two years as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Tranquility Union High School. He left there in 1984 to take over his parents insurance business in Bakersfield. He held an Insurance Brokers License, Real Estate License and was President of the company. John and his family moved to Bakersfield in 1984. Johns involvement in this community was profound and included being Past President and sitting board member for the Kern County Sheriffs Foundation for over 15 years. He was also Past President of Downtown Optimist Club and Lifetime Member. He sat as board member for the North of the River Chamber of Commerce and formed, headed and served as President for the North Star Foundation (non-profit). John also offered his services as a Substitute Teacher at North High School for several years. He spent countless hours securing support from the surrounding community for North Highs academics, football, baseball and wrestling programs. John also endeavored through the North of the River Parks & Recreation District to form the Bakersfield Bombers Rugby Club. Over Johns lifetime his devotion and steadfast love for his family, friends, athletes and those he felt responsible for was a blessing without measure.

A true angel has returned to Heaven. Many thanks to the entire staff at Wheeler Cancer Center, Nurse Penny at Western Pacific Oncology Hematology and Odyssey Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to either the Downtown Optimist Club or the North Star Foundation.

Doughty-Calhoun-OMeara

Funeral Directors